Shuhan

Cao Rui has been the regent for several months. During this period of time, he seemed like a sharpened blade, and his mind and skills have made a qualitative leap.

In the court, his every word and action revealed a majesty and calmness that should not be underestimated. Behind every decision, there was his profound understanding of the operation of power.

Now, facing this sudden crisis, he has demonstrated extraordinary calmness and decisiveness.

"Mother." Cao Rui bowed to Queen Guo Zhao, his tone filled with unquestionable firmness.

"Your Majesty's serious illness and coma must be kept secret and not be known to outsiders. I will immediately go to summon the army and impose martial law in the palace. As for the rest of the matters, we will make a decision after your father wakes up."

His eyes flickered, and he secretly thought in his heart: If his father really cannot wake up, he has the confidence and ability to smoothly take over the power of Wei State without allowing the situation to become turbulent in the slightest.

Upon hearing this, Queen Guo Zhao nodded slightly, with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

"Just do as the prince says." She said softly, knowing in her heart that in this game of power, although she was the queen, she had to rely on the support of imperial power.

Guo Zhao never had too much desire for power, nor did she intend to become a powerful woman like Mi Bazi and Empress Dowager Dou. She only wanted to maintain her own peace in this deep palace.

Cao Rui bowed again and said, "I want to go see my father."

There was a hint of complex emotions in his words.

The previous experience left him with lingering fears, and he was afraid that this was another test carefully designed by his father.

The queen nodded in understanding and led him into the inner hall.

Inside the inner hall, the air was filled with a pungent smell of herbs, as if even the air was heavy enough to make one suffocate.

The imperial physician and the palace servants looked anxious and walked hurriedly. Everyone seemed nervous and busy.

On the dragon couch, Cao Pi, the Emperor of Wei, lay quietly, his face as pale as gold paper and extremely weak, as if he was no different from a dead person.

His breathing was so shallow that it was almost imperceptible, and he was in a deep, unawakened sleep.

Seeing this scene, Cao Rui's mood became extremely heavy.

He stared at his father with mixed feelings.

The scene before him told him that this time, his father's serious illness was not a disguise, but he was truly on the verge of life and death.

His eyes showed worry about his father's illness, uneasiness about the unknown future, and determination to shoulder the heavy responsibility.

"Father..." Cao Rui called in a low voice, with an imperceptible tremor in his voice.

However, the only response he got was silence and the smell of herbs in the air.

Cao Rui took a deep breath, tried to calm his inner turmoil, and began to think about every next step.

He must act quickly and decisively to ensure the stability of Wei.

He turned to the Queen and said, "Mother, I think we should summon the important officials in the court immediately to calm people's hearts. At the same time, strengthen the guards in the palace to ensure safety. I will personally guard inside and outside until my father wakes up."

When Queen Guo Zhao heard this, a hint of relief flashed in her eyes.

The Cao Rui before her was no longer the child who needed her protection, but a crown prince who could stand on his own.

"Okay, everything will be done according to your arrangement."

The flickering candlelight in the Taiji Hall illuminated Cao Rui's young and resolute face. His eyes were deep, revealing an extraordinary demeanor.

At this moment, he summoned the Central Commander Zhu Shao, the Shangshu Ling Chen Qun and the newly appointed Si Li Xiao Wei Zhen. These three people each held important military and political powers in Wei. The Central Commander was in charge of the imperial guards, the Si Li Xiao Wei was in charge of the military affairs of Luoyang, and the Shangshu Ling Chen Qun was the head of the civil servants. Their arrival undoubtedly made this meeting more important.

Cao Rui was wearing a luxurious brocade robe embroidered with intricate cloud and dragon patterns, highlighting his noble status as the crown prince of Wei.

He waved his hand gently, signaling the eunuch beside him to carry out the order.

After receiving the order, the Grand Eunuch whispered to the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the palace to quietly retreat, leaving only these four powerful figures.

As the palace door slowly closed, a depressing atmosphere filled the air.

Cao Rui's eyes swept across the three important ministers in front of him one by one. Their faces showed either shock or doubt, and they were obviously surprised by the topic about to be discussed.

Cao Rui's voice was deep and powerful. He slowly said, "Your Majesty is seriously ill. What should we do now?"

This sentence was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

Shangshu Ling Chen Qun had a calm face and white hair and beard. Upon hearing this, he immediately stepped forward and said earnestly, "Your Majesty has a deep fortune and will surely be able to turn danger into safety."

However, Cao Rui shook his head slightly and interrupted Chen Qun: "I also hope that my father will have a good fate, but I also know that everything is prepared, and if it is not prepared, it will fail. We need to plan ahead and make more preparations."

At this time, the Central Commander Zhu Shao stepped out, his voice was loud and clear, with unquestionable firmness: "We should immediately cut off the internal and external information to prevent those who have ulterior motives from causing chaos. Second, the Wei State is in a troubled time, with frequent wars in various places. Stabilizing the situation and appeasing all parties is the top priority."

As soon as Zhu Suo finished speaking, Wei Zhen, the lieutenant of the Imperial Guard, stepped forward. His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he suggested: "Your Highness may take this opportunity to lure those who have evil intentions to take action. This can not only purge the court, but also establish your authority and consolidate the position of the new monarch."

When Cao Rui heard this, he was moved.

When a new monarch ascends the throne, he lacks prestige, but he can quickly establish his authority through thundering means.

Several possible candidates have already emerged in his mind. Those courtiers who are restless or at odds with him on a daily basis may become victims of this "establishing authority" action.

Thinking of this, a barely perceptible sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth, which showed his indifference and determination towards the power struggle.

"Good plan!" Cao Rui nodded approvingly, his eyes revealing a light of determination and wisdom.

"However, we must proceed with caution in this matter. We must achieve our goal without causing unnecessary unrest. Zhu Shao, you will be responsible for strengthening the security inside and outside the palace to ensure that nothing goes wrong; Chen Qun, you must pay close attention to the movements of court officials and not let go of any disturbance; Wei Zhen, you will be responsible for secretly investigating and identifying those potential threats to prepare for our next move."

. . .

Three days passed like this.

At this moment, the worries in Cao Rui's heart were like fallen leaves blown by the autumn wind, fluttering in the air and difficult to calm down.

He thought his father's illness was terminal and that the Wei Dynasty was about to usher in a storm. However, an unexpected news suddenly came from the palace:

This morning, the Emperor of Wei not only woke up from his deep sleep, but also felt refreshed and had a great appetite. He even ordered the imperial chef to prepare a roast duck and a large amount of fine wine and delicacies for him to feast on.

This news was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Cao Rui stunned for a moment, with suspicion filling his heart.

Could it be that my father's health has really improved?

Or is this just the calm before the storm?

Just as he was feeling mixed emotions, his master Zheng Cheng slowly walked towards him, with a look of age and wisdom on his face.

"I have heard that when a person is about to die, he often has a moment of revival." Zheng Cheng's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to be knocking on Cao Rui's heart.

"Your Majesty was seriously ill, but now he is suddenly full of energy. I'm afraid this is the case. Prince, you should make preparations early."

Upon hearing this, Cao Rui's face became as gloomy as the sky before a storm. He nodded, said nothing more, turned around and walked quickly towards his father's bedroom.

Along the way, the guards retreated when they saw this and dared not to stop it.

His heart was like the surging waves, filled with fear of the unknown and desire for power.

The moment he stepped into the bedroom, the scene before him made his heart tighten.

Cao Pi was seen sitting on the dragon bed with oil dripping from his mouth. In front of him was a roast duck that had been gnawed to the bone, and various delicacies: crystal clear grapes were dotted around like purple gems, lamb legs were torn into pieces, and the aroma of honey water filled the air, making people salivate.

Cao Rui stepped forward and bowed to Cao Pi. Although his heart was in turmoil, he tried to keep his tone calm: "Is father feeling better?"

Cao Pi nodded, a satisfied smile on his face: "Much better. I have been ill for several months and my body has never felt so relaxed."

As he spoke, he took another big bite of roast duck, tore the lamb leg, occasionally ate some grapes, and drank honey water, looking like he was enjoying the delicacies of the world. However, the queen, Queen Guo, who was standing by, had slightly red and swollen eyes and a worried look on her face.

Although she didn't dare to speak out to disturb Cao Pi's interest, her eyes revealed her inner worry and uneasiness.

Cao Rui observed all this silently from the side, and became more certain of his judgment: his father was indeed experiencing a last burst of vitality.

He looked at Cao Pi wolfing down the food and couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness in his heart.

This once wise and powerful emperor now craves the delicacies of the world like an old man in his twilight years.

This may be the last time that my father enjoys the delicacies of the world.

"Father..." Cao Rui was about to say something but was interrupted by Cao Pi.

He spoke slowly, his voice somewhat weak: "During the days when I was recuperating, you have done a great job. After I die, I believe that you will not do worse than I did when the State of Wei is handed over to you."

As he spoke, his eyes swept over the dazzling array of delicious food and wine on the dining table, but suddenly he seemed to lose all interest.

When Cao Rui saw this, he was shocked.

He keenly noticed that his father's appetite seemed to have suddenly disappeared at this moment.

He looked at those hands, which were extremely withered, as if a layer of skin was just covering the bones.

Back then, my father was a hero who could pull the bow and gallop on the battlefield. But now, he can't even hold a bowl of rice.

"I still need your encouragement, father. What I have done is far from enough." Cao Rui said hurriedly, his voice filled with a bit of anxiety and panic.

He was afraid of his father's sudden departure, and even more afraid that he would not be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility.

Cao Pi laughed, but there was a hint of desolation and helplessness in his laughter: "Enough, enough. You have done very well."

He touched his forehead and suddenly felt dizzy.

Upon seeing this, Queen Guo Zhao immediately supported him with her plump body, her eyes full of worry and anxiety.

"Huff, huff..." Cao Pi's breathing became rapid. He seemed to realize something and his face became even paler.

He said with difficulty: "It seems that I will not survive this winter."

Empress Guo Zhao burst into tears instantly, and she said in a choked voice: "Your Majesty, I do not allow you to say that!"

She held Cao Pi tightly, as if she was afraid he would leave at any time.

Cao Rui also hurriedly said: "My father will live forever, how can I say he is dead?"

There was a hint of trembling and uneasiness in Cao Rui's voice.

Cao Pi waved his hand, signaling them to stop talking.

His eyes suddenly became sharp and he looked straight at Cao Rui.

"My life has been worth it."

"But there are a few regrets that I cannot complete. But I hope you can help me complete it."

Cao Rui had tears in his eyes. He clenched his fists tightly and said firmly, "Father, please tell me. I will definitely do it!"

Cao Pi took a breath, and his voice became even deeper: "First, your mother must be taken back. Do you know that?"

There was a flash of pain and anger in his eyes, as well as humiliation that could not be concealed.

Cao Rui clenched his fists even tighter, and his voice was filled with determination and firmness: "Your Majesty, I don't need to tell you this. I will do it! My mother was abducted by the enemy and humiliated day and night. How can I tolerate such a thing?"

Although Cao Pi's voice was weak, every word was full of power. He continued, "Second, the world is now in a state of conflict between Han and Wei. I hope that you will not only protect the foundation of the Wei Dynasty, but also unify the world and complete what I have not completed."

Cao Rui nodded again, his eyes firm and resolute: "I will definitely do it."

This is not only his father's last wish, but also his own mission.

He wanted to carry forward the foundation of the Great Wei, unify the world, and let the flag of the Great Wei fly over every inch of land in the world.

A look of relief appeared on Cao Pi's face.

He added: "Third."

Cao Pi turned his head and looked at Queen Guo Zhao, whose eyes were filled with tenderness and reluctance.

"After a hundred years, you have to treat the Queen well, understand?"

There was a hint of pleading in Cao Pi's voice.

He hoped that after he left, the queen would be treated kindly and respected by her son.

Cao Rui immediately said: "I will serve you as if you were my own mother. Your Majesty, don't worry."

Empress Guo Zhao burst into tears. She hugged Cao Pi tightly and cried, "Your Majesty, you can't abandon me."

There was a hint of despair and reluctance in her voice; she couldn't imagine a life without Cao Pi.

Cao Pi patted the Queen's hand and said with a smile: "Even though the tortoise is long-lived, it still has its end. This is the will of heaven, so just accept it."

There was a sense of open-mindedness and calmness in his voice; he knew he was about to leave and he had accepted this fact.

生死
It's impermanent.

He turned to look at the eunuch and ordered, "Draft the decree!"

Perhaps because he felt that his life was slipping away, Cao Pi immediately asked the eunuchs to draft an edict:

"Since I ascended the throne, I have worked diligently in government, committed to the prosperity of state affairs and the stability of people's livelihood. I have maintained the government and rectified the administration of officials, and strived to ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment and the country prospers. However, fate is unpredictable and the world is unpredictable. Although I have the intention, there are still many things that I have not completed, which is really regrettable.

Crown Prince Cao Rui is talented, wise and brave, and I love him deeply. He is kind and filial, decisive, and will surely inherit my legacy, protect the foundation of the Wei Dynasty, and create a brilliant future. I have high hopes for him, hoping that he can uphold justice, work diligently and love the people, and make the Wei Dynasty last forever.

Sima Yi, Cao Zhen, and Chen Qun are all pillars of the country and are loyal. I hope you can serve as regents to help the crown prince take the throne and govern the country together.

I hope that you will work together to plan state affairs, to ensure the safety of the country and to comfort me.

I know it is difficult to defy fate, but I also hope that the Wei Dynasty will prosper and the people will live in peace. I hope you will keep my last wish in mind.

Admire this. "

After finishing speaking the contents of the imperial edict, Cao Pi had a smile on his face, but the light in his eyes had disappeared.

He slowly closed his eyes, as if he was resting and saying goodbye.

His breathing became weaker and weaker until it finally stopped completely.

Cao Pi, the Emperor of Wei, passed away.

The bedroom suddenly fell into silence, with only the crying of Queen Guo Zhao echoing.

She hugged Cao Pi's body tightly, as if she was afraid that he would disappear at any time.

Cao Rui also stood silently by, his heart filled with grief and sorrow.

He got the power of the empire as he wished, but at this moment, his heart was empty and extremely painful.

The Han-Wei War
It turned into a war between him and Liu Gongsi!
No one will protect him from the wind and rain anymore. (End of this chapter)